Flying the Coop to Hillsborough Street
Some people go far after they graduate from NC State. John Cooper "Coop" Elias simply crossed Hillsborough Street.
Why did Coop cross the road? To open Sugar Magnolia, a store that sells fair-trade items for $15 or less.
The business -- and its principles of fair-trade practices -- are in
his blood. Coop (Communication, '09) grew up working in his parents'
fair-trade store in Nashville, Tennessee. He traveled with them to
Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guatemala, and beyond to find artisans. As
fair-trade shop owners, the family was committed to buying and
reselling wares that gave the artists a living wage. Back home, Coop
watched how his parents worked collaboratively with other like-minded
store owners in their city and with his aunt and uncle, who owned
similar stores in Michigan. He has incorporated all those practices and
principles into Sugar Magnolia.
But who in their right mind would open a shop on a thoroughfare that
is currently a mass (and a mess) of orange cones, cement mixers, and
dug-up concrete? A visionary, that's who.
"The way I see it, once the Hillsborough Street renovations are
complete, this area will become a true destination again for students
and for the community," he says. "Honestly, we could have opened this
store anywhere. But my family and I want to be part of revitalizing
Hillsborough Street. Business is already steady. Once the street is
finished, we're anticipating plenty of business."
Coop's commitment to the university and its environs is nothing new. The public relations major served as Agromeck
editor last year, and as president of the Student Wolfpack Club the
year before. He was named a 2009 Mathews Medalist for his leadership
and service to the university. He is currently working full-time as an
intern with the Wolfpack Club. Opening and overseeing Sugar Magnolia is
a labor of love on many levels.
"I have watched Hillsborough Street for four years," he says. "Most
college towns have an area where students, faculty, staff, and the
community all mingle together. When all the renovations are finished, I
believe Hillsborough Street will become that kind of destination area.
We're hoping our shop will become an integral part of the street and
the community."
Sugar Magnolia is at 2302 Hillsborough Street, across from
Winston Hall and next to Bruegger's Bagels. All items sell for $15 or
less. The store is dedicated to compensating all its artisans fairly
for their work. And to the revitalization of Hillsborough Street. Web
site coming soon.
